my lunar observations gave for the longitude of Simon's Bay
18 degrees 48 minutes 34 seconds east; the latitude 34 degrees 11 minutes
34 seconds south. The timekeeper likewise made the longitude 18 degrees
47 minutes east. The longitude as established by former observations is
18 degrees 33 minutes east. The variation of the compass on shore was 24
degrees 4 minutes west; but on board of the ship it was only 22 degrees
28 minutes west. The time of high-water was three-quarters past two on
the full and change and it then flowed six feet.

With respect to the Cape Promontory it lies about three miles east of the
meridian of Simon's Town. All the tables of latitude and longitude place
the Cape in 34 degrees 29 minutes south latitude; but from many
observations off it with good instruments I make it to lie in 34 degrees
23 minutes south, which agrees with its situation as laid down in major
Rennel's map. The part which I call the Cape is the southernmost point of
the land between Table Bay and False Bay; but the Dutch consider the
westernmost part of the coast to be the Cape.

Sunday 29.

On the 29th, being ready for sea, I took the timekeeper and instruments
on board. The error of the timekeeper was 3 33 seconds, 2 too slow for
the mean time at Greenwich, and its rate of going 3 seconds per day,
losing. The thermometer during our stay here was from 51 to 66 degrees.

July. Tuesday 1.

We had been thirty-eight days at this place, and my people had received
all the advantage that could be derived from the refreshments of every
kind that are here to be met with. We sailed at four o'clock this
afternoon, and saluted the platform with thirteen guns as we ran out of
the bay, which were returned.

CHAPTER 4.

Passage towards Van Diemen's Land.
Make the Island of St. Paul.
Arrival in Adventure Bay.
Natives seen.
Sail from Van Diemen's Land.

1788. July.

We lost sight of the land the day after leaving False Bay and steered
towards the east-south-east, having variable winds the first week with
much thunder, lightning and rain. The remainder of this passage the winds
were mostly between the south and west blowing strong. There were almost
every day great numbers of pintada, albatrosses, blue petrels, and other
oceanic birds about us; but it was observed that if the wind came from
the northward, only for a few hours, the birds generally left us, and
their presence again was the forerunner of a southerly wind.

Sunda